4D: Nintendo system involving physical exertion: WII. Interesting, Wikipedia says "Nintendo's spelling of "Wii" with two lower-case "i" characters is meant to resemble two people standing side by side, representing players gathering together". And Wii sounds like 'we', which emphasizes that the console is for everyone.

5D: Bottom line: NET GAIN

6D: Publisher with a castle: HEARST. The HEARST Castle.

7D: Wicked: EVIL. And GOOD (26A: Well-behaved).

8D: La Méditerranée, e.g. : MER. French for "sea".

9D: Moments of clarity: INSIGHTS. Would not have got the answer without Across fills.

76 comments:

Good morning, C.C. and gang - anybody else agree that Tuesdays are becoming easier, or as easy, as Mondays? This one was also without pause, although I didn't get the theme until the end, and I still don't know what a 'baby split' is. I'm assuming it must be a bowling term?

As far as specific comments, I got nothing. Not a knock on the puzzle, which I enjoyed, but everything was quite apparent. I think most all of us would know the answers just looking at the clues without even seeing the puzzle grid. If you really wanted to split hairs, I guess you could question 'net gain' for 'bottom line'; a bottom line could also be a net loss.

Today is Bad Poetry Day. Certainly not applicable on this blog.

Today's Words of Wisdom: "To enter the country of old age is a new experience, different from what you supposed it to be. Nobody, man or woman, knows the country until he has lived in it and taken out his citizenship papers." -- Critic and Editor Malcolm Cowley

Couple good quotes:

"Any fool can make something complex; it takes a genius to make something simple." -- Pete Seeger

"My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met." -- Henny Youngman

Hi Dennis and everyone. It's just Boomer using CC's account because I'm too lazy to sign in and probably forgot my password anyway. The "baby split" is a bowling term, - A leave of the 3 and 10 pins for righthanders, or the 2 - 7 for southpaws. It's relatively easy to convert since it's possible to hit both pins with the ball with a well placed shot.

Chickie,Jerome just has a very imaginative & intelligent brain. He really brings out the best in every constructor's work.

Windhover,I am so happy that your paper now has LA Times puzzle. Now start whining about the clues!

Embien,Dennis and I are doing our best. But it's simply impossible to stay on line 24 hours a day to take care of those idiotic anon posts attacking Tarrajo. I've said many times, and I don't want to repeat again: Don't Feed the Trolls.

Morning, All. Today's puzzle really didn't do anything for me. I picked up on the theme fairly easily. Not knowing anything about bowling, I didn't understand BABY SPLIT until I read CC's explanation.

We had ACHOO (4D) yesterday, except it was spelled differently.

I wanted Bosox for CELTS (39A). I could afford to go to more baseball games than I could basketball games back in my younger days in Boston. Once, however, we somehow scored seats to a Celtics game on the floor. We were so close that we could see the scars on Bill Walton's knees.

Today's Birthdays:

1750 ~ Antonio Salieri (d. 1825) of Mozart fame/infamy.

1774 ~ Merriwether Lewis (d. 1809), of Lewis and Clark fame.

1905 ~ Greta Garbo (d. 1990)

1957 ~ Dennis Leary. We used to go see him do stand-up in seedy Boston clubs back when he was making his start.

QOD: Apropos of yesterday's late night conversations: "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth." ~ Muhammad Ali

Good morning all. A slight step up on the difficulty scale today but I still plan on handing out a few copies (legally, of course) to folks at work in my quest to get more people in doing LAT puzzles in our local paper (Chicago Tribune) after they jumped ship when the puzzles became "impossible". Wish me luck!

@Boomer. welcome to the life of living with a celebrity! I know a little something about that. Thanks for help with "baby split." I had something horrible from the Bible in mind (Solomon). Bowling is fun & I don't know why more people don't try it.

Only real struggle today was with 39D (CROSSBAR). Just could not remember the term, but could picture it my head. True to my nature, I filled in 44A SAYSO thinking it was wrong and did likewise with 24A NOSTARS. Always happy to see BASIL in a puzzle; I do eat a little pesto every day. Peanut butter and chocolate, too. Just ABIT! @AL: you look like someone famous but for the life of me I can't think of who! Your family looks like fun! What were you playing on the guitar?Time to trek toward work. Later!

Though I'm short on specific complaints (and whining is MY department)I didn't have a lot of fun with the puzzled yesterday or today. Maybe I'm getting jaundiced, or am just in some kind of mood.

I didn't know BABY SPLIT, so thanx for the info. Thanx also for the kind words to those who gave them. I have a lot of affection for everyone here. (I guess if I was drinking it would be I LOVE you guys.)

Al, your family sure looks comfortable and happy with each other, and younger than I'd pictured you. Obviously good family time.

I had no problems today apart from putting BUILD for BRAWN at first. I didn't understand baby split or baby SIT--I've never heard either expression before.

Embien,Thanks for that fried chicken recipe. Now I need an iron skillet!

Tarrajo,I used to always tell my classes (high school) at the beginning of each year, I'd give them 5 extra-credit points for bringing in a box of tissues just one time a year. I would put one box out at a time for general use and I never ran out. When they asked about extra credit later in the year, usually to make up for unfinished assignments, I'd say no dice--you already have all you're going to get! Our district was fairly generous with other supplies at our level, but I know elementary teachers had to buy quite a bit themselves.

Quick comments (2) since I am on the train.1) Someone is eating Korea's national dish of KIMCHEE nearby. Not sure how to spell that but combine the pickled nasty odor of Kimberly Chee with the train scent and I am seriously contemplating exiting off said train and cabbing it to work. My apologies to Koreans but....yech! Ick!2) "Baby blues" refers not just to the vastly under-treated illness of post-partum depression, but also to blue eyes (Think Frank Sinatra).

I forgot to say item 2, before.

P.s. C.C.: do I win a prize for posting during "normal people hours?"!.....

Good Morning!!Didnt start well..wanted SINEWY instead of BRAWN (ofcourse it wouldnt fit) and ATMO for HEMI. So I started at the top right, climbed down, completed the bottom and crawled up to the top Left. Got Baby from BOOM TOWN and BLUES MUSIC. This helped me get SIT TIGHT. Like many others, have never heard of BABY SPLIT (Ofcourse now I know, thanks to CC and Boomer's explanations). Got SPLIT from perps and put in HAIRS.The R intersecting HIRT and NO STARS was the last fill..stared at NOSTA_S for a long time. Knew I had to fill using that clue as I dont know Trumpeteer Al.Overall, I would say it was a good puzzle..cant decide whether it was easier than yesterday..I'd say probably the same level.

Dennis' quote from Henry Youngman reminded me of the clue we had few weeks ago "Short sentence for a long term" :)

Al, such a wonderful picture...all happy and smiling. What were you playing for the family?

Al: Nice picture. Looks like everyone was having a very good time. (I agree with PJB - who am I thinking you look like?)

Lovely puzzle. Except for RUHR (gotten with perps), there were no unknowns and I breezed right through this puzzle. I got all of the theme answers from their clues, but didn't see the connection until I got ?ABY from the perps. After I finished I googled 'baby split'. I am not a bowler. In fact, I can remember going bowling on a blind double date in high school, and about the 4th frame the other girl leaned over and asked "did they tell you we were going bowling?" They hadn't. When we repaired to the pool tables after we finished bowling I whipped their butts. Never went out with that guy again.

Good Morning All, No big problems today, except for BABY SPLIT. I should have known it. We used to bowl regularly, but distance from alleys and GAH's knees have made it a thing of the past.

I'd never heard ROAD BED for "train track foundation", but perps took care of that easily. Perps also corrected my first fill of TWIT for 63A. I'm sorry BRITs, don't be mad at me. London is a favorite city. I really am an Anglophile and love all things English (except for blood sausage).

Bad Poetry Day? If I'd known it was coming up, I would have saved Bono's poem about Elvis.

Al, Your family looks like you know how to have a good time together. I love a photo with big smiles. Very nice!

Windhover, leave the clue whining to Jazzbumpa. Rants are more your style. Looking forward to both.

I’m with you Dennis. I think this puzzle was as easy or easier than yesterday. I made a couple of guesses with “roadbed” and “Emile.” I had minimal perp help with astr, Ruhr and mer. Interesting to see “achoo” today and “ahchoo” yesterday.

Kazie, here is the list of the school supplies. Brady will be in the fourth grade.

Another EZ one...Didn`t think there was a theme until I got here and found that 55a was "bloats" and not "gloats". When i got"baby"...the "first word" made sense. I think this is the first time I`ve heard the Blues called "Blues music." It seems redundant, somehow.Do "Jazz music", Rock and Roll music" or "opera music" sound clumsy, too? Maybe it`s just me.If there was a clever clue, it would be "Must-miss movie rating..." What about "thumbs-down?"

Tarrajo: Isn`t it cosmic that we can feel when someone prays for us? I know no better way to invest in someone`s life than to pray for them..Betcha I`m not the only one who does...I hope you return the favor...no stage of life is without heart-wrenching hurts and problems (sorry to be the one to tell you but...) without the avenue of prayer, I seriously doubt I`d still be in the world. And it`s free!!! Unlike booze or crack or coke!!! ^ ^ __

I've the feeling Gail is a very playful person. Crossings- RATE, HATE, SIT TIGHT, INSIGHT, EFILE, EMILE, and best of all, NO STARS, TSARS, ASTR.

Fun stuff- Does golfer Lorena Ochoa ACHOO?Baseballer Tino Martinez is also in the grid. 35 down, STEPS ON IT is TINOS PETS backwards.ROADBED is the answer to the clue "Train track foundation". Have you ever BOARDED a train?

Hi all, thanks for al the positive comments about the pic. We were all mugging for the camera. I think my sister was the one who took the shot and had just said something funny.

@PJB and @Elissa, I have heard it said that I somewhat resemble Norm Abrams from the New Yankee Workshop on PBS. Don't know if I see it myself, but I have gotten some strange looks in the hardware store.

I was playing an A-7 (A minor seventh) at the time, part of a cycle of fourths exercise, going through all seven chords in the key of C.

Baby Blues is also a pretty funny comic strip about a family with three small children. I'm both happy and sad at the same time that we are past that stage.

Coconut oil makes a good moisturizer. Your skin is mostly waterproof (or you'd dry out), but eventually whatever you put on it gets absorbed into your body. If you wouldn't put something in your mouth, you really shouldn't put it on your skin, either...

Good afternoon, CC et al., Besides getting confused on going across or down w/the clues(blame jet lag), this was fast and easy. Baby split? Ok, if you 'say so'. Never heard it before.

This puzzle is so all about the 'lure' of Las Vegas! People 'swarmed' around tables playing games. I 'got' it finally when I learned that it is 'good' to 'sit tight' or 'stand' on an 'ESP' based bet. There's no such thing as a 'safe' bet there. The only 'sure' thing is that you will rarely break 'even'. Needless to say I didn't win, just 'aged'. Went to the Palms 'spas' to avoid going 'bat'ty and to gain 'insights'into my 'net gain' or loss which was more like it. Thought I would turn into a 'sot' before I got home. My 'aerie' was a corner suite on the 22nd floor of the Palms overlooking Hugh Hefner's Midsummer Nights Dream Party. Quite the production! 'No stars' was hardly our experience but they were in the sky over the Ghost Bar, the Stratosphere and the Aliza? restaurants. 'Blues Music' was everywhere and wonderful. Now I need a 'rest' but would I vote to return? The 'ayes' have that one for 'sure'. The 'grand jury' doesn't have to rule on that one. 'Good' times!

Will catch up on previous days' posts soon. Have missed some good pix apparently.

C.C.I bought a book called Organic Body Care Recipes, and I’m working my way through it. It’s pretty easy to make your own products, and less expensive. Mostly it’s fun, and you can adjust things to suit your own needs.

Melissa Bee is a licensed esthetician, (probably spelled that wrong; spell check doesn't know it) and creates her own recipes. I remember a pumpkin peel that was especially nice.

Coconut oil is one of the most luxurious oils available, and is called the universal skin conditioner. Organic, unrefined, extra-virgin is the kind you want.

I can get it here in the Market of Choice; I’m sure Whole Foods has it. There are also online suppliers of organic herbs and products. My favorite is Mountain Rose Herbs, and it's located near Eugene.

Coconut oil looks like mayonnaise in the jar, but when you open it, it’s solid at temps above 76 degrees. So I just take any recipe that looks good, and if it doesn’t call for coconut oil, I substitute it. You can use anything solid, like shea butter, in place of cocoa butter.

In a small pan over low heat or in a double boiler, warm coconut oil and cocoa butter until the butter is just melted. Remove from heat and let cool for 15 minutes. Add the essential oil and stir to blend. Pour into storage container(s) and cap. Allow the mixture to set for 2 hours.

Note: If the temperature of your storage area is above 76 degrees, the balm will maintain a liquid consistency. If the temperature is below 76 degrees, the balm will be firm. Remember, too, that coconut oil and cocoa butter will melt on contact with skin.

In honor of the day. Bad poetry isn't difficult to find. This is so bad I think it would be difficult for even the talented Jazzbumpa to come up with a parody. It was written by his fellow Great Laker, William Fuller, in Ionia MI in 1888. I love it that the poet got lost on a rhyme for "beat", and came up with "chair" in the next line. Fuller must have had a pretty miserable family life....but all's well that ends well and they wind up happy as "pigs in clover".

Mother's Troubles

Mother with children all the while,Tired and weary, she'll hardly smile;Working so hard, she's nearly sick,The children's noise to stamp and kick.

Her nerves so weak she cannot beatTheir weeping cries to rock the chair;Husband at home, so cross he speaks,Aside she steps and there she weeps.

'Tis then she'll wish she ne'er was born,For life seem dark and all forlorn;But when their fret and all is over,Happy they'll feel like pigs in clover.

Another fun, easy puzzle today.Very few pauses. Last fills were Brit and baby so I obviously didn't get the theme.

Boomer, easy for you! :) Thanks for the input.

Tarrajo, I am really amazed at that extensive list and I would be blown away too. My, it looks as if there is no budget for those teachers.I asked for one red pen/pencil, one black pen, two pencils, a short list. This teacher must have a lot of space to house those supplies for her students. Are the classes small? Mine were always 32-35, and the desks did not have holding compartments.

Katy, have a great year. I know the kids do appreciate the help librarians provide. There is no better place to be before school on a winter morning.

Al, such a happy good- looking family. It reminded me of the song Truman sings constantly.. the Barney song: I love you, you love me, we're a happy family......

School starts on Monday here, so I'm off to school to help where I can. Leaving you with this so romantic favorite, La Mer sung by Charles Trenet.

I liked the Cold outburstclue. Interesting that we had the alternate spelling for Achoo today versus Ahchoo yesterday.

Katy, good luck with the opening of school. I actually miss the fall going back to school activities. Not so much the stress, but the anticipation of a new year, new classes, and seeing old friends on the faculty. Even after 15 years retired I still look at the back to school ads in the paper. Go figure.

Tarrajo, the list for the 4th grade seems a bit "heavy" on the pens and pencils. Two packs of 24 pencils each. Even in our cash strapped school district, we supplied the pencils and crayons for each student. If they wanted more, they brought their own. I did ask for Kleenex, as that was the first item to go when the budget was cut. Nothing worse than a runny-nosed child and no Tissues.

"Blues music" is redundant, Linda etc. It's just "the blues." Quite a few years ago, Eric Clapton performed in concert, the title was along the lines of "Nothing but the Blues," which is a style that he has mastered apart from songs like "Cocaine" and "Layla." The price of admission was steep and I had to really cut some spending down to hear him in person. Just him & his guitar....Pure blues. A night to remember until the old memory wears out! And, seeing BB King's show here in Chicago years later and years ago still seems like a fresh memory. Blues is a feeling more than a style, I'm pretty sure.

C.C.: The only prize I need is just being part of this group. No blue ribbons needed!

"Blues music" is redundant, Linda etc. It's just "the blues." Quite a few years ago, Eric Clapton performed in concert, the title was along the lines of "Nothing but the Blues," which is a style that he has mastered apart from songs like "Cocaine" and "Layla." The price of admission was steep and I had to really cut some spending down to hear him in person. Just him & his guitar....Pure blues. A night to remember until the old memory wears out! And, seeing BB King's show here in Chicago years later and years ago still seems like a fresh memory. Blues is a feeling more than a style, I'm pretty sure.

C.C.: The only prize I need is just being part of this group. No blue ribbons needed!

Good morning or afternoon where ever you are.My nitpick today was 38A. Galileo was way more than an astr. But, that was what got him in trouble with Rome and made the headlines of the day. I could go on for another hour or so but won't.Wish I knew how to share a photoI took from atop the bell tower in Pisa. It was one of my best.I could spend another hour on bowling and sitting pins but won't.I made good money in the early 50s.That is another hour or so. We called any pins standing left and right of the center of the rack a split.(4-10, etc) a split.Saw AHCHOO the other day as AH CHOO. I don't care what The Merc said this morning, I have been sneezing for three days because of the smoke in the air.My meter said "NO TOK" this morning meaning I had to clean the sensor pad to continue.My book and DVD (Jack Reacher No.13and Telefon) came a day early.

Elissa, you bowled on a blind date, and I bowled with a blind person. Our blind friend bowled with a railing to help him know when to stop and release the ball. It was amazing to watch him and he became quite good at the sport.

If you buy a rusted cast iron skillet at a garage sale you can easily ressurect it. Rub it liberally with Crisco or vegetable oil and toss it in the fireplace or wood stove (if you don't have one you can use an oven). Wipe clean with a paper towel and repeat (will take several times if the rust is bad). It will eventually become rust-free and then you can start to reseason it (as you would a new cast iron pan).

A cast iron pan never wears out, that's why so many of us have our grandma's or mother-in-law's pans. Never scrub a cast iron pan with soap and water--you'll remove the "seasoning". Wipe it out with paper towels and salt, then reapply a thin film of vegetable oil.

Hi all...Fun, easy puzzle and as always, Jerome made it more interesting. Not boring and steady downward fills. Thought it was fun to see ACHOO spelled the way we expected it the other day. Nothing to get stumped on but definitely didn't get the BABY split until I came here...thanks Boomer, and others. Bowled off and on years ago but never got very good. My husband was soooo much better. Our girls periodically decide to hit the lanes with friends and always have fun.

Al beat me to it...Norm Abrams, although younger and better looking,( and what a terrific family!) but there is a similiarity. My husband always watches his shows...amazing how he constructs whole pieces of furniture in a half an hour. And wouldn't any woodworker just kill for that workshop...of course it is probably all freebies from the manufacturers.

We are more or less housebound today as they are "slurrying" our street. We did move my car around the corner just in case, but a good excuse not go anywhere.

BarbB...thank you for the recipe, I might just buy that book. I have some good herbals and I guess I like a lot of the homeopathic concepts. My grandmother was a firm believer in home rememdies...a simple one for headaches (or cramps) is a cup of hot tea(Pekoe type) with a drop or two of peppermint oil...always worked. Onset colds were usually pretty much put paid to with a hot toddy(Whiskey, lemon juice, honey and hot water, right before bed).

Still smokey here and more noticeable at night but they say they are getting it under control. At least it is way better than last summer and the months of smokey air. Be grateful for small favors, I guess.

I checked at another bad poem site and Fuller's "beat" was written as "bear". So I guess he did rhyme with "chair". I kind of liked "beat" rather than "bear", but either way, the poem wasn't improved one mawkish bit.

Lois, glad to see you survived your Las Vegas trip in fine form.

GAH and I love "Nawhm" Abrams too. GAH says that the New Yankee Workshop was every carpenter's dream. Was there any gadget he didn't have?

Another home remedy. My mother took 1/2 tsp of baking soda in water when she had indigestion. I don't think it is recommended anymore, but it worked for her. (Who would have thought that a such a polite little lady could belch so loudly?)

Kazie, I too wondered about all the red pens; and JD his class size is around 30 kids and I don’t think their desks have compartments either. I think that is what the 6 qt plastic shoe box with the lid is for.

Lois, sorry you didn’t have any luck in Vegas (in the gambling department anyway) :)

Clearayes, apparently you haven’t been around me when I drink beer. It’s amazing what can come out of this little frame!

"Nawhm" Abrams is all right but I preferred watching Roy Underhill and The Woodwright’s Shop. He didn't have a power tool in the place, which was a good thing because he always seemed to do damage to himself, in one way or another.

The thing is, when Norm built a piece of furniture, it was darn near perfect and, with all his jigs, he could probably make another one just like it.

But when Roy made something, with his 'oops' and "that won't be noticeable", it was one of a kind and truer to the original craftsmen.

Barb B and CA, You've lived up to the Bad Poetry Day with flying colors.

Another little story about our Blind bowling friend. He also made wooden toys for children. A friend set up the jigs for him and he used his power saw, drill press, etc. as if he was sighted. But he did lose the tips of two fingers on his right hand over the years. He did drill press work for John Deere until he retired. He has been blind since age 21.

Embien: Your story reminded me of the movie, "The Red Violin", which came out about 10 years ago. It followed this very valuable violin back in time to its creation. The red was, indeed, due to the addition of blood. Beautiful movie and music (although no "BLUES MUSIC").

Lois - so glad you arrived home safely if not rich. That is pretty much my lot when I gamble but it is fun, and fortunately there are other things to do in LV as opposed to some other gambling meccas.

The talk of the cast iron skillets made me glad of mine. We purchased our 5 qt dutch oven in 1970 and it is like new. After washing it in PLAIN water (no soap!), I dry it with paper towels and place it on the stove burner (we have electric)and warm it while gently rubbing the inside with Crisco on a paper towel. This keeps it seasoned.I also have 9 and 10" frying pans. One of them just says 'Made in USA' on the bottom but the other says 'WagnerWare - Sydney -o-. Kazie, any thoughts on that? Also as was mentioned Lodge still makes the cast irons BUT they are now mfg in China and not here as had been the case since the late 1800's. I bought one of the ones that are enameled (in a pretty red)just because I wanted a 6 or 7 qt size. I discovered that the lid was already chipped as I was taking it out of the box. I barely handled the actual pot when another chip occured! I took it back and sent an e-mail to Lodge...never heard from them.

Like the family pictures of Al and Kazie. Happy folks to say the least.

My husband and I were big fans of Abrams. He was on every Sat at 8 am.My husband passed away a few years ago, haven't watched it since then except, while I was in Florida, I did see one show. I don't recall seeing Roy Underhill. Maybe we didn't get him here.

Thanks Kazie - I feel stupid...I looked at the bottom of that pan, and for some reason spelled Sidney as Sydney. Obviously the 'O' stood for Ohio. I should have Googled it before asking the question. Oh well, at least now I know :)

Nice fast puzzle today. I did it while my son was having senior pictures taken. What a chore. Why do we do these things? It is only high school.

Being a bowler, I did get the baby split, although it took me a bit longer than connecting all the other theme fills. I like the WII and SPLIT HAIRS cross as bowling is my favorite game on Wii. My boys will play baseball, and come up to tell me how many times my Mii character hit home runs. It is the only baseball I will ever be successful at.

The Hearst castle is a fabulous tour. Been there several times. Each time the tour guide will have a unique perspective. My favorite quote, when sitting at the grand dining table, Hearst always sat at the middle of the table. When asked why he didn't sit at the head of the table, his response was "Wherever I sit is the head of the table". Very colorful tours.

CC, where was the golf course in that picture with Boomer?

Tarrajo, those lists get shorter as they get older, but the items get more expensive. The graphing calculators in high school are over $100 and then they break, get lost or stolen. We had slide rulers as I remember. I always took all my kids stuff at the end of the year and checked markers, pencils, pens etc. Then we would reuse the following year all that worked. In junior high, my kids school had a "laptop" program. Each kid got an apple laptop that was "theirs". We paid $150 for insurance on it. I absolutely hated it. Too many distractions. They still bring kleenex in high school, and I don't complain about that too much if they come home sick less often.

Can barely stand watching local news. An entire half hour on the Brett Favre report. Really, did nothing else happen in the world today?

Al, looks like such an incredibly fun family. Can I join yours?

ClearAyes, took your advice the other day about copying b4 previewing. Lost the page on the preview, so was glad I had the post in the clipboard. Thanks for that advice.

Jazzbumpa, Not only is your poem a wonderfully clever parody, full of poetical terms, it also qualifies as lousy poetry, as I'm sure was your goal. Congratulations you've done it. I'll never doubt you again.

Tarrajo: amazing list of purchases for a 4th grader. At the risk of irritating the teachers on this blog...What would happen if the students did not bring all the items on the list to school? What if you simply sent what you could afford at the time?

Tarrajo - read your school requirement list. It brought back some pleasant memories of Fall. We always had to bring supplies but we never had lists (in the stone age). For grade school, I was always so excited to go shopping for: a 'Pink Pearl' eraser, some #2 pencils, a pencil tablet (wide ruled), a ruler, some 'Mongul'(sp) colored pencils and a pencil box (literally a box of wood with a sliding top (high tech in those days :)) A new lunch box with thermos (I chose the Roy Rogers model). In high school the purchases changed and included Peechee folders and 3 ring notebooks, notebook paper (college ruled), tab dividers and I can't remember what else.

Hither and thither and "yawn" go we.The eyelids droop and close closely.To wake on bright and painted dawnTo see which way the puzzles`s worn.With quickened cloak or slogging cape.At table spread or on couch to drape. We scribe, erase, then scribe again.Until it`s nigh on half past ten.Then up we givest--seek blog spot trueThen hopest we are of the fewWho finished well--who filled the grid.(Perchance to see how others did.)We put our chewed quills down alay,Then realize tomorrow`s another puzzle day!

I can write bad poetry as easily as Jerome can anagram, or PJB can extract comedy from the daily news. They have a gift. I have a curse. Long ago, my father told me I had a glib tongue. Had you been there, you would realize it was not a complement.

I wanted to do the parody line-by-line of the original. It wasn't until the 2nd quatrain that I decided to throw in all the metric foot designations. Might have lost my way there. Also wanted to keep all the original rhymes, but couldn't quite make that work.

I think I under-achieved in genuine lousiness, though. the damned thing almost scans.

Good evening. The train home was quiet, hot and kimchee free. Ran into an old neighbor at the grocery store on the way home. Nice lady, loves to talk about food. We chatted in the frozen food section and probably would actually have climbed into the cooler together to escape the heat, but that could have created something of a scene, so we just huddled near dairy products until we finished talking. She solves NYT puzzles so I threw in a plug for the LAT.

Looking at TarraJo's school supply list: it seems interesting that they specify so many brand names: Crayola, Elmers, Fiskars, Sharpies, Prang....I understand that some parents appreciate the tip, because those are all good national brands, but what if Mom or Dad or Legal Guardian can save a dollar or two by getting equivalent drugstore brand or generic crayons , for example? I hope the kid gets to use them. My dad used to get us pens from work with his company logo on them; i never was sure if that was cool or not. It's not like he worked for Playboy or Nintendo.GREAT sentence on the supply list; all caps."Please send to school only items on this list."Whaaaaaat? What does that ONLY mean? ~Please send us items only, no need to send the child~ Please send listed items only to our school, and not to summer camp or grandma's house ~Please do not send unlisted items to school. Your child's need for textbooks and an asthma inhaler is of no interest to us.

In addtion to officially going back to work, I also hosted my book club tonite. We read Short Cuts, a collection of short stories by Raymond Carver. Screenplay written and directed by Robert Altman. Anybody familiar with it?

Well written, simple yet complex, glimpses into people's lives but rather on the dark side. A big switch from Pillars last month...

Shortcuts is one of my favorite movies. One of the stories is called Will You Please Be Quiet, Please. Julianne Moore's character in the movie, Marian, is the adulterous wife in that story. As I recall, there is scene where she is ironing a skirt, naked form the waist down, that very faithfully follows Carver's original story. Really powerful!

The movie very cleverly intertwines the characters and situations of nine stories that were originally unrelated. I can't say I'm a big fan of Carver, but I do find him inspiring.

PJB's riff on ONLY reminded me of this.

Repeat this sentence as many times as there are words in it, each time emphasizing a different word, to get a different nuance to the meaning. It's fun to do it sequentially.

I didn't say I say you sleeping with my wife last night.

Speaking of sleep, if I may borrow a few words: Now it's "yawn" go we.The eyelids droop and close closely.Cheers from me to all of thee.-- Your trombonist, JzB

On the school front thing...I posted that list just to show what I was up against. I thought it was just too much. As far as following the brand names, forget it. I will pick up anything that resembles what they ask. As far as the question about if someone can't afford the supplies; I am sure that someone kind and more affluent donates it.

Let's be clear ANON, I will scrape up the money and bargain shop. I am more worried about clothing as LGJ is starting to notice "certain" brands. Sigh.

Side note, he will not be receiving a purple jersey with Favre's name and the number 4 on it this Christmas unless we make it into the playoffs. We shook on that one.

Tarrajo, I just looked at the lengthy list and figure the class is going to furnish the whole school's office. I really got a kick out of the fact he can now have sharp, pointed scissors!

Not enough people sucked up for my Granny's fried chicken recipe, but I guarantee it doesn't include butter milk as most recipes do. Sorry Embien, if I stepped on your toes. I can pretty much say my fried chicken is the best I have ever tasted except for my Mom's. Oh wait, we have the same recipe. :) Jeannie being Jeannie.

WM, I am a believer in hot toddies, and still use them, with the same recipe. It beats Nyquil, doesn’t it? I’m sure the peppermint tea is good too.

CA, I forgot about baking soda; I used to use it all the time, and it was very effective. Tarrajo, lol re burps.

Here’s one I can’t explain. When my sister and I were kids – grade school age – we got ring worms. The doctor prescribed some purple liquid that made us dance with pain; it stung like bees. Mother’s grandmother arrived, got a newspaper and saucer. She burned the newspaper over the saucer, then put the yellow residue on the sores. No pain, and the sores disappeared. How in the world did that work, and how did she know? I’m still mystified. And I doubt it would work today. I think newspaper and ink are different.

Jeannie, you are wonderful, intelligent, gorgeous, and a good cook. Is that enough sucking up to get me the fried chicken recipe?

I finally have to admit it that i am the anonymous that has been posting. I figured you all would know it when I complemented Melissabee a couple of days ago. I know I shouldn't say untrue things about Jeannie or Tarrajo but it won't make any difference because I'll still write nasty things late at night. Thats just the way I am.